In February 1996 I commisioned a statewide poll from Dittman Research asking

"On an overall basis, what do you think is the most important problem facing Alaska today?".

The answers are shown below, with the text of each answer. I commisioned the poll to find out what issues to target during my run for the U. S. House in 1996. Since I am no longer running, but the poll is done I have decided that it would be made available to the voters of Alaska to help define the issues that the candidates running for Public Office should address during the election process. I had this poll run because I could not afford to waste time and effort on pop issues, I needed to know what the constituency of Alaska was concerned with, so I could address those concerns in my campaign and make the most efficient use of time and funds.


Summary of Findings

General Classification Specific Classification
6% Diversify Economy
4% Oil Decline
19% Economic 2% More Economic Development
3% Open ANWR
3% Economy (in general)
1% International Trade
11% Balance Budget
15% State Budget 3% Fiscal Gap (need long-range plan)
1% Government Too Big
14% Crime
8% Jobs
10% Employment 1% Tax Issues
1% Cost-of-Living
8% Moral Issues
7% Government Leadership 4% Federal Gov't Interference
3% Poor Gov't Leaders
5% Fishing
4% Education
3% Protect Environment
2% Native Issues
1% Timber
1% Poor Roads
1% Too Many People
1% Welfare Reform
1% More Land Available


Verbatim Comments
Rural Comments
Central Comments
South Central Comments
Anchorage Comments
South East Comments
Crosstabulations

Rural


Propaganda from major news networks -- disinformation about politicians, governments, food -- you name it.

Teenagers! They need more recreation and things to do. We don't have enough things for them to do and they get into trouble because of it.

Lack of rural sanitation facilities. If you travel through the rural area you will notice there is no running water or sewer systems in the villages.

Unemployment. There is a lack of jobs for people to do in the community.

The economy -- being allowed to trade oil on the open market and sell directly to Japan. We need to open ANWR and develop the resources without interference from the federal government.

The Natives shout be considered more. They were here first and they don't have as much political clout.

Our over-spending. The state is spending over they budget -- over their heads.

Inequality to Whites. There are a lot of pro-Native things and not enough pro-White. There is a musk ox season and it is only for Natives. They get money and they don't have to do a whole lot for it.

Drugs and alcohol They ruin everything around.

Statehood -- we should never have been granted statehood.

The budget -- lack of funds for schooling and education.

Drugs and alcohol. More people have problems pertaining to drugs -- physical violence, buying and selling -- things like that.

The funding of our government -- state and local governments. Our revenue from oil is being depleted and we are not in control of our budget. We need to be fiscally responsible -- like a tax if it is needed.

The salmon market is going to heck. I don't think they should be doing the farm fish and they put out too many pinks.

Jobs -- there is not enough work. I am concerned about the over-harvesting of salmon in some areas and not enough for us here.

Subsistence. The way it has been handled has been good but there should be Native preference or rural preference. Since they live here, they should have preference after the subsistence is done.

The unemployment. A lot of the residents are Native and there is a lot of welfare going on here which promotes a lack of any desire to change or be self reliant.

Drugs and alcohol. Pot is available too much here. I get asked all the time where to get some.

Developing new economic resources -- like tourism, business enterprises and things like that.

The fiscal spending gap. There is too much state spending and not enough coming in. We are going in the hole big time.

The difference in our cultures and the children, the suicide rate, the chemical dependencies -- all those things.

Pregnant teens -- there are too many young girls getting pregnant. They drop out of school and live on welfare.

Transportation -- it is expensive to fly and get freight here -- like groceries. It is just awful how much we have to pay.

The budget shortfall and lack of funds -- how it is going to affect education and the services available to us.

Fishing -- the fish income program. The closing of some areas and the opening of others. They want to close it here in June and July and we can't support our families that way.

Alcoholism is getting out of control and people are dying every year from it.

Alaska's youth not having anything to do so they get into drugs and alcohol. We are really confined here in Alaska.

Alcoholism -- they don't know how to handle their drinking.

The lack of jobs.

Go to Area Choices

Central


Over-exploitation of our resources.

The Dividend and the possibility of a price increase.

Alcoholism in this state is higher than most. The unavailability of AA meetings.

There are not enough jobs. There are a lot of people coming up from the Lower 48.

Our extravagant government.

State finances.

Draining of all the jobs to Anchorage.

Subsistence.

Finances -- our spending more than we make and our inability to balance the budget.

It is a two-fold issue. The declining revenue or unbalanced budget and the fact that we don't have a cohesive direction for Alaska.

We need better land management and better tourism management.

The future of our natural resources and how we use them.

People in general would like to get something for nothing. The city, borough, and state are lacking funding for education because people don't want to pay taxes.

The politicians.

Kids and the justice system. They slap their hands and let them loose. The kids have no respect.

Balancing the budget. They can't seem to agree. They should have a sales tax at 1% with an increase only by the people.

Slimming down our state employees.

Redefining the financial base that Alaska is going to draw its income from.

Our federal regulations.

Job unemployment issues. I have no idea on how we can solve the problem --maybe cut back the bureaucracy.

We are too dependent on oil and gas still. We need to start looking at ways that we could diversify our economy before it's too late and the oil runs out.

Lack of funding towards education. We need smaller classrooms and therefore more teachers. They need computers and whatever else is needed to give kids in Alaska a solid education that will prepare them for college.

Leadership in the state government. I don't feel the state government has a clue about Alaska's future. They need a long term plan to carry us through the next 50 years. We need to know what we can count on as far as money coming into Alaska to support the spending. If it is not there, then don't spend it.

Natural resources. I would like to see the fishing industry get more of the fish rather than the sports fishermen. Also, I don't feel the oil companies have any business drilling oil in new locations. It is not like it is going to mold or anything. We have enough for now.

The economy. Balancing natural resources with providing jobs. They should allow development to provide jobs for Alaskans.

The environmental cover-ups by the government. The cancer problems we've been having on the Delta. They are trying to cover-up or ignore it but there is still a problem that needs to be dealt with.

Outside transients coming up and taking jobs away from Alaskan residents -- that is the biggest problem right now.

Balancing the budget.

Juvenile crime.

Money -- the decreasing government funds from Washington. The decreasing income from oil revenues.

Too many people are moving to Alaska. I don't like that.

It's a natural resource type of thing -- to avoid over-exploitation and conflicts.

Alcoholism.

Job security.

Crime.

The management of our government. The way we deal with crime, drugs and alcohol. How we manage our money as a state.

The long term vision in education and business in Alaska needs to be looked at.

Making the switch from an oil based economy to other resources and using them in a responsible way.

Family preservation.

Go to Area Choices
South Central

Crime. We just have a lot of youth who are being raised in homes that are not a traditional home. We have kids committing crimes and getting away with murder.

Keeping ANWR closed.

How the government uses its money. It is counting on something that will not happen -- forestry and the oil.

Diversifying the economy instead of concentrating so much on the oil revenues to provide all the services we need in this state. That just is not possible. We need to diversify so we have other resources to provide money for services.

Education -- that has been one of the first things cut each time. Hopefully, it won't be this time.

Government intrusion -- federal regulations that inhibit the people's right to the land and fishing.

Getting better roads and highways.

The government spends way too much money and we don't get any of the benefits of it.

Getting our budget in line. The cost of living that they want to give our legislators with their per diem. They are grossly overpaid now while the rest of us are struggling.

Violence and children starting a life of crime so early.

The oil and fishing industry. In this community it is the price of fish. We are not getting enough money.

The declining revenues and the increasing population. The lack of funding for different programs -- like education.

ANWR -- I would like to see it open.

They are locking up all the land. Like here in Seward you can't take an off-road vehicle off the road. If you need to get firewood it costs $10 for a permit. There is a rule to follow about everything anymore.

Schools -- the teachers are not qualified enough.

I suppose it is probably alcohol. I was just reading in the paper that it is mainly responsible for all the violence.

Basically the prices on everything here in Kodiak.

Moving the capitol. I feel that if we can spend money on other things, why not move the capitol? We need access to it and it would create jobs.

Environmentalists and animal rights activists and the way they are handling the government.

I think they are way behind times as far as road building is concerned. We need sidewalks and curbs in the rural areas.

I think we are getting a little crowded. I would like to save some of our land. I don't know if that is an issue or not though.

The rising crime and the gangs in Anchorage. There have been drive-by shootings here in Homer.

Probably the commercial fishing prospects for the next few years. They have given so much of our fishing to up-river fishermen and to tourism that it will really hurt commercial fishing in this state.

The government -- the deficit and state taxes.

For me, being a carpenter, the problem is labor. I have a hard time finding work. I've had to throw myself into fishing and everything else. I know the OSHA problem has something to do with it. The government needs to step back out of our lives.

Getting ANWR opened.

School support. Everything is coming before the schools.

Roads -- I have a problem with the amount of money that is poured into tourism and not enough into other areas. The Mat-Valley should be the second in tourism. They are sinking so much money into Juneau tourism and Juneau doesn't bring any money into the state. We are not getting any support out here.

Domestic violence because in the local area we had a domestic violence incident which ended in a death.

The economy -- the environmentalists blocking all the oil development. Capping on commercial fishing. All the businesses thinking of coming into Alaska have too many legal problems to battle with. We must change some legislation and lift some bans.

The economy. That is a concern of ours because we have a tourist related business. Sports fishing vs commercial fishing.

Our resources. In the summer tourists come in and some treat our land with respect and some do not.

The budget. There is not enough money to run the government.

Welfare. I just feel that there are too many people on it. It is too easy to get. A lot of people I know could hold down jobs. They have a good education but they choose not to work.

The employment problem.

Waste in government. The number one problem is welfare. I have worked all my life here and people on welfare wouldn't take a job if you offered it. The prison system is a problem also. I don't think the prisoners should live better than I do when I pay their bills. I don't feel prisoners have any rights after they are incarcerated.

Wildlife -- like the game -- how many are allowed to be shot. I feel it is about right now. But, if they keep opening new areas, they will need to keep an eye on that closely.

The declining oil production and our revenues.

Crime -- we just are hearing more and more about it all the time.

The economy. Wasilla as a whole could use something to bring in more money to the community.

We are newcomers to Alaska and we are retired. I feel crime is about the same everywhere. The economy is a problem -- I read about the bases closing and the concern over the oil revenues.

Employment -- I have a son-in-law who works for the federal government and was in that layoff recently. That was pretty scary for them. My friend's son has been looking for work for some time.

Drugs with the youth -- they are so available. I feel the police miss it a lot because they are too busy with other things.

People's attitudes. It is hard to articulate. I am an ultra liberal. The people here don't even act like they are residents of the U.S. unless it suits them at the moment. The people here are users right down from the Russians to the present day Alaskans.

Dealing with declining oil revenues and how the state is going to deal with their inflated budget.

The harp -- it is an antenna that sits in Galcona. I don't want it. It is part of the Star Wars program. They heat the ionosphere and poke holes and bounce waves off a mirror in Fairbanks so they can look under the earth's surface. What bothers me about that is that only the government and big business will ever know what is there. It is radio waves. We had over 300 people at a public meeting in Palmer the other day and over 100 people here in Glennallen and not a word was in the news. I was promised that Metro in the Daily News would have a piece about it. Even Georgianna Lincoln was there. I don't understand it. But, I did get a call about it and they are going to be having a hearing about it so at least it has come to the attention of the State Affairs Committee.

We are turning our whole state into a playground for the tourists. I am not for all of this tourist trade. We have to work here and we can't even get down to the Kenai River ourselves because it is so crowded. It is not the quiet place it used to be.

Responsible management of our resources -- getting a balance.

The influx of people coming in for all the give-a-way programs -- like the Longevity Bonus and the Permanent Fund.

Go to Area Choices
Anchorage

We have no control of our own destiny. There is too much federal control in all areas.

I think the most important problem is getting ANWR opened. I am all for it.

Drugs. We need to teach the young people what the bad part is. Maybe legalize them like in England. The second problem is teenage pregnancy.

Gangs. Parents should pay more attention to their kids. They are too lenient. Kids don't value life -- theirs or others.

The federal government's control of many things in Alaska -- like our land.

Substance abuse by all ages. We need early intervention and teaching in schools by bringing addicts in to talk to the kids. We need more aggressive punishment. Substance use is not constitutional. We have no right to abuse substances. We need more drug testing.

Our lack of funding for education.

Jobs -- many people have trouble finding one.

The rising crime rate among young people. My car has been broken into. Mt. View is helping their youth. We need a more responsive Police Force and more cops to help.

Too much government -- too much federal government. Our state doesn't control itself -- like in gold dredging and mining or public land laws. Our public land laws are idiotic.

The fiscal gap -- our financial problems.

The drugs and kids' thieving. Stepping up Police and community awareness is helping -- like in Muldoon and Mt. View.

The declining oil revenues. We need to open ANWR.

The state's budget and keeping it balanced. We need to live within our means. Regular people have to so the politicians should spend the state's money like private citizens have to.

We need to diversify our economy. Promote tourism and try anything that helps our economy.

Getting ourselves on a sound economic basis -- like fishing, oil and politics. We need to balance our industries and really work at keeping all these industries alive and well in Alaska.

Crime, alcoholism and drunk driving. We should have more severe laws enforced by the courts. No more light sentences. Correct these people -- they are hurting and killing others.

State spending and the loss of revenue from oil. We must find a way to offset it. We must find a way to solve our state's money problem.

Overcrowding in schools. The lack of good, proper education. Make the hillside pay taxes. We need a self tax. We need more schools and less students in class. We have to educate our children .

Our legislators spend too much money.

Crime among our youth.

The decline in revenue from oil.

I think it is the economy. We are spending more than we take in.

Right now it is crime -- just the random shootings and gang problems.

Our schools are falling apart. More money for schools is needed. Crime is a big problem for the younger people. We need to prevent the bad things and reinforce the good -- like midnight basketball. Open up a recreation center and get them off the streets. Provide money for positive outlets.

I think development is our most important problem. We need to open up the state. We have a closed highway and our trade is restricted. We need to open up the state more and sell gas to Asia.

Crime is probably the most important problem -- juvenile and abusive crime.

Our declining oil revenues.

It is real close between education and crime.

Lack of sanitation in the villages.

Youth violence.

The cost of housing.

Violence and crimes of little children who learn bad habits. We need to encourage kids to do positive things with their spare time. Encourage them family-wise, community-wise and school-wise. Small children see teenagers do bad things and get away with it. Then the little ones think when they are older they can do bad things without being punished. We all need to work at changing the attitudes in our homes, schools and communities.

Fish farming and trying to compete with other countries in the fishing industry.

The economy. It is not promoting things like tourism. Our representatives should listen to us concerning our economy. Don't just do their own thing.

Crime -- all the murders. A few years back there were no murders. This town especially was a place where doors could be left unlocked -- never again.

Economics -- we need to adapt to the depletion in oil production and think ahead to new products.

Crime has been getting worse in the last five years. It gets worse day by day.

I think funding education is our most important problem.

Instability in the economy.

Our reliance on natural resources like oil.

How we treat our youth. We don't have any activities for them during the winter that don't cost money. There are a lot of people who can't afford skis or snow machines.

The budget gap.

Education.

Probably budgetary problems.

The increase in crime.

I guess it would be the lack of jobs for people living here.

Our stupid legislators!

Money for the budget.

Finances.

Problems with juveniles.

The way people raise their kids these days.

Outside interference.

The lack of oil money and finding other sources of income.

Too much government. Alaska has the biggest Police Force. There is too much mid-management in the Fish & Game and in vocational rehabilitation. The handicapped are not being dealt with as equals. I am handicapped.

The opening of ANWR. I am in favor of opening it. It will help us a lot financially.

Crime -- gangs and drugs. We need more neighborhood watches and more community involvement so we can push them out of Alaska if needed.

There is not enough help for rural Alaska. They need running water and sewers. The state should pay for it.

I would say our most important problem is government spending and the excessive administration.

I don't think we have any serious problems.

The lack of jobs.

Kids getting into trouble with the law. Young people killing people. We need to start in the home with good parents to help our young people.

The fact that our oil is going down.

The lack of money spent on education and overcrowding in our schools. Four million dollars may be spent on a south Anchorage sports complex and the schools get less.

Those who want to develop and those who don't. They need to be brought together.

Welfare reform. We should try to help people get a job.

Education. More money should be going towards computers in the schools.

We need a more diversified economy. Commercial fishing and oil are fading away. We need to start small manufacturing here.

Politics -- we need to change the makeup of our state legislature and get the Democrats back in control.

Education for the kids. I don't feel we should cutback on funds for children's education. They need more teachers and small classrooms. They need everything possible to give them the best education. Our kids deserve that.

ANWR -- it needs to be opened for development.

Too many politicians and Green Peace people stopping development.

The fact that people aren't willing to pay taxes for services we need and use.

Crime. It is a very complex problem and one that I don't know how to solve. Maybe the parents should be more responsible in raising their kids.

I think crime is our most important problem -- gang related crime.

I think Mayor Mystrom's sports center is a problem. I live by it and it is going to cost a lot more than he says. We need to get ANWR open.

Delinquent teenagers.

During the winter they don't handle snowplowing as well as they should -- intersections don't get plowed.

I think our biggest problem is not getting into ANWR. We need to open it up.

The state's economy -- our dependence on the oil money. We need to open ANWR.

I would guess fishing -- balancing the commercial fishing with the sports fishing. There is more than enough for both.

The condition of the roads -- just go out and see the potholes.

Teenage crime. Put "God" back in the schools. Hold parents accountable for their kids under 18. Make parents work with their children.

The need for more industry in the state besides the oil. We need more development of our state like minerals and mining or coal generated gas. We should think about that.

The high crime rate. We have a high rape rate and domestic abuse. More community programs may help. I don't know the answer to solving this problem.

It is too expensive to live here -- real estate, food and clothes.

The budget gap. The state has to develop an alternative source of revenue along with controlling spending. How about balancing the budget!

Crime of all kinds. I am concerned with the more violent crimes which have become more commonplace. Something has to be done to stop it.

Poverty and welfare. There are more people in need and less funding to help them. The city has to help the near homeless. Too many grants have been cut.

The crooked politicians who run the state. I've lived here 45 years and the politicians we have here don't serve the public -- they serve themselves. They squander money that they don't have.

The gangs starting to build up here. I am a southern boy and I say "shoot them" but you can't really do that.

The job situation -- the lack of jobs for Alaskans.

The integrity of our elected officials. I feel they are all dishonest people.

Our local government being able to control our resources and our lands.

My children's education. I would like to see more money going towards that. We need smaller classes, more teachers and more computers.

The size of the government. There are two people doing one job.

Politicians who are dishonest.

The economy -- we need to develop more of an industry base.

Land use. I think the federal government should give the land rights back to the State of Alaska so they can manage it.

Money -- where it goes and how it is handled.

Get the rest of the Lower 48 to understand that Alaska is a state and they need to stay out of our affairs.

Unemployment.

Legislators inability to make good decisions.

Education -- our system needs better backing.

Go to Area Choices
South East

Economics -- the decline in the oil money.

Controversy over the mine -- whether an aging mine should be reopened.

We need to be weaned off government programs -- welfare programs.

Maintaining our environment. Preserving and using our resources productively and not just exploiting things.

The crime rate.

Government spending. There is a lot of duplicity in the government. There should be more constraints in determining who really needs entitlements.

Dealing with the revenue shortfalls.

Sexual abuse.

The economy -- lack of jobs.

The budget-- the declining oil revenues.

Utilizing our resources in an environmentally sound way.

The federal government -- get them off our back. They are involved in fishing and it is hard to tell who is running what. The state doesn't have control.

The unlimited charter fleet expanding without limits and taking over the commercial fishing.

Curriculum of the state's schools. The lack of beneficial programs for children with disabilities. There is no one in Haines who can deal with problems like my child's.

The timber industry -- dealing with the environmentalists. There are not enough logs to work the sawmills.

Crime, inflation and no jobs.

Over-development.

Government financing.

The timber industry and all the sawmills shutting down and no wood from the federal government.

People trying to make a living and being blocked by people not wanting to use the natural resources -- like fishing and logging.

People not realizing they are in the state. A lot of people aren't familiar with the different areas of the state and this is causing friction between people.

We need to overhaul the legislative system -- redo some laws -- like subsistence and timber industry laws.

Trying to move the capitol from Juneau to Anchorage. I am against it.

Alcoholism.

Drugs.

Making land available for the people to buy for homes and businesses.

The environmentalists trying to close the Tongass and mining.

The decline in oil revenues.

The economy -- natural resources like fishing and timber. Not enough trees are cut.

The wood industry -- not giving enough wood to cut -- shifts are being cut at the sawmills.

Drug and alcohol abuse.

There is too much national government.

Educational budget shortfalls.

We need additional jobs.

The old time Alaska people don't give new people coming into the state a chance which doesn't allow progress in the state. A monopoly causes a lack of progress.

The lack of timber, oil problems, drugs and alcohol.

The fisheries -- letting too many charters come up from down south. They cleaned this area out last year -- you can't catch a halibut!

Logging off all our resources.


Go to Area Choices

Crosstabulations

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